Levada
Levada: the Ponte di Piave fraction with a millennium-old history
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about Levada, a fraction of the municipality of Ponte di Piave, in the province of Treviso, which has a history dating back to ancient times. I will take you to discover the places of interest of this small fraction, giving some information about its past and its physical geography.
Physical geography
Levada is located north of the municipal capital, lying along the Bidoggiata channel, on the border with Rustignè di Oderzo. The territory on which the fraction stands is characterized by the presence of the Piave river, which flows a short distance away.
Origin of the name
The name "Levada" derives from the Latin "levata", which means "elevated land", referring to the presence of ancient settlements founded on elevations in order to overcome frequent floods. Alternatively, it is argued that the toponym refers to the existence of a secondary importance Roman road that was located on an elevated position compared to the surrounding territory.
History
The proximity to Oderzo and the various archaeological discoveries seem to prove the presence of Roman settlements on the territory of Levada. There are no, however, records of the presence of the oldest Paleovenetian civilization.
During the period of decline of Oderzo, the Church reorganized the political and social organization of the area in the 10th century. Several fiefs were established in the area of Levada, often held by the same ecclesiastical hierarchies. Levada also had a certain strategic importance as the seat of a fortification of the Strasso, a powerful feudal family of the time.
The Strasso began to decline from the 14th century, selling numerous assets including the fortification of Levada. The building was destroyed in the 15th century by the Serenissima, but according to some sources, the elevation on which it rested can still be seen.
Monuments and places of interest
The Levada fraction has some monuments and places of interest that are worth visiting during a stay in the area.
Parish church
The church of San Bonifacio, patron saint of the fraction, may have originated from the Strasso family itself. However, the patronage was always managed by the bishop of Treviso. The first mention regarding the church dates back to the 13th century when the cure of souls was entrusted to the parish church of Negrisia.
Only from the 16th century, the church was managed by its own curate, who resided in Ponte di Piave until the canonical construction of the 17th century. The church of San Bonifacio is still an important place of worship for the faithful in the area.
Conclusions
The Levada fraction is a place with a rich and fascinating history, which definitely deserves a visit. The presence of Roman settlements and important feudal families have conferred a strategic importance in past epochs, making it still today a place of great cultural and archaeological interest.
